A gunite - or concrete - pool is one of the best options when it comes to investing in a custom pool for your backyard. Gunite pools offer complete artistic freedom and can facilitate whatever design you choose for your Smithtown, NY, backyard. They do require specialized tools and skills to construct, however, and should therefore be entrusted to an experienced builder of pools, such as The Platinum Group. Here are a few ways in which a gunite pool can be designed for a show-stopping look and feel.
Explore various shapes and sizes
You can customize the size, shape and depth of a gunite pool to suit the layout and curvature of your unique landscape. This automatically results in a design that is completely one-of-a-kind. Consider incorporating a combination of curves and straight lines into the perimeter of your pool for a visually interesting design that best suits your particular landscape and adjacent home.
Related: CHOOSING THE RIGHT SWIMMING POOL DESIGN FOR YOUR HOME
A multi-dimensional design
If the one open area of your landscape lies on a steep slope or hill, don’t be discouraged from having your gunite pool placed there. There are ways to work a hill into your pool design. For example, the pool can be split into multiple smaller pools that are stacked on various level platforms that protrude from the face of the slope. You could even have the various pool linked by means of small waterfalls. For example, a pool at the top of the slope can create a stream that cascades into two other pools that are situated beside it, at a lower level. An interesting rock arrangement could also be used to create a visual link between two pools. In addition to ensuring that separate pools don’t appear isolated or out of place, waterfalls and waterslides also serve to make your pool more fun and characterful.
Related: HOW A GUNITE POOL BUILDER CAN CUSTOMIZE YOUR SWIMMING POOL ON LONG ISLAND, NY
Have fun with finishes
There are various finishes that can be used to cover the concrete shell of a gunite pool, such as tiles or pebbles, for example. Different materials will contribute a different aspect to the overall look and feel of your poolside. Therefore, they should be selected to complement the rest of your landscape, rather than clash with it. These finishes also go a long way in formulating a particular theme or aesthetic. A pebble finish in light, sandy tones can have a distinctly tropical appearance, for example. Other customizable features that can be used to personalize a pool include vanishing edges and beach entries, which both have a luxurious resort-like appeal.
A pond-like pool
Gunite pools can be designed to emulate natural water bodies. Pond-like pools pair perfectly with rustic and ethereal landscape designs, as they create the impression that the pool was formed over centuries of natural wear and tear. Pools that include, or are surrounded by, natural elements blend seamlessly into their surroundings. Consider nestling large boulders into the surrounds of your pool, and incorporate ornamental grasses and reed-like plants for added effect.
Related: CREATING A YEAR ROUND SAFE SWIMMING POOL AREA FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY
Islands and additional features
Islands of various shapes and sizes can be incorporated into gunite pools, and can be filled with various fun features. A large island can serve as an excellent tanning spot, and can be scattered with comfortable recliners. Consider having a fire pit built around which guests can enjoy good conversation and warm themselves after sunset.
Image courtesy of Unilock.